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My Paraphrase of Deuteronomy 6:4-18

This was a bible study exercise I did on my own a couple of years ago but have never published.  My goal was to be as accurate as possible in communicating the thought of the text, while paraphrasing into modern conversational English. I’ve converted all Old Testament references and illustrations into principles that a modern reader could understand.  This a loose, but carefully worded paraphrase, that is not meant to replace scripture, but to serve as a devotional study tool. or simply an encouragement for your personal walk with God. I’ve provided a link to the ESV translation if you would like to compare it to a real translation.

Listen up, all you who are God’s people. There is only one true and living God and there is no other. You must love God with every single fiber of your being. You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands. Repeat them to yourself and to others. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are out with friends, at school, at work, or wherever you go; also when you go to bed and when you wake up. By all means, be creative and do whatever it takes to remember these things.

God has promised that you will experience blessings, that can only be attributed to God’s provision. It is God’s desire that you enjoy His blessing, but never forget who it was who blessed you. You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. Live with integrity and keep every promise you make. Live as if you fear God’s wrath if you break that promise.

You must not allow the religious or secular practices of your surrounding culture to steal away your attention and devotion of the one true God.  For YAHWEH, your God, desires your absolute devotion, and is displeased when you stray after worldly desires.  It is very unwise to test God’s anger by being unfaithful, as He has every right to judge sin at any moment. You must diligently obey the commands that God has given to you. It’s pretty simple actually; Do what is right and good according to the scriptures, and all will go well with you.
Deut. 6:4-18 ESV

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